Of Bonds of Ice and Snow

Snowflakes drifted silently, a soft chorus of white falling upon the scene as Yasushi released his grip on the man, his form collapsing unceremoniously to the ground like a discarded burden. The crimson stain began its slow journey, mingling with the pristine snow, a stark contrast of life and its fleeting nature.

Turning to her with a gentle smile that belied the violence moments prior, Yasushi shook his head almost imperceptibly. "This isn't mine, you know," he murmured, his voice carrying the weight of a weary traveler. "Looks like you've won another fight. Your skills never fail you."

Jingliu's voice, tentative and filled with a mix of awe and disbelief, finally broke the heavy silence. "You... you did all of this alone?"

Yasushi's nod was measured, a quiet affirmation. "Of course. I walked home by myself. But the night's getting colder, and my home isn't far. Would you like to come over and have some tea? It's the least I can offer after such a night."

+-+

Jingliu and her maid, Yinhaie, were the sole visitors to Yasushi's home for tea. In the quiet of his modest abode, Yasushi deftly prepared the tea, his movements fluid and practiced. A brief, uneasy stillness settled in the room, the remnants of a tense night lingering like an unspoken guest.

Though the faint traces of blood marked Yasushi's trousers, neither Jingliu nor Yinhaie acknowledged the stain, their gazes tactfully averted.

"Lady Jingliu hails from a prominent family in China," Yinhaie began, a hint of pride in her voice, only to be swiftly silenced by a sharp glance from Jingliu. Yasushi observed this silent exchange, his expression betraying nothing.

Clearing her throat, Jingliu interjected with a tone that brooked no argument. "Let us agree to keep this incident private, much like the previous one."

Yasushi nodded, taking a contemplative sip of his tea. "That was my intention as well. You don't need to worry." He cast a meaningful look at Jingliu. "And what you saw tonight about me, it's best left unspoken, don't you agree?"

Jingliu's nod was accompanied by a faint smile, her eyes glimmering with a shared understanding. "Secrets are the threads that weave our lives," she mused softly, savoring the tea with a discerning palate. "This blend is quite delightful. Is it a special blend?"

Yasushi's response was nonchalant, a casual shrug accompanying his words. "Just ordinary tea from the market. But if it pleases your refined taste, then maybe it's more than ordinary. You must have had your share of exquisite teas, coming from a wealthy family."

His subtle question prompted Jingliu to reminisce briefly before turning her attention back to the present. Meanwhile, Yasushi's gaze drifted toward Yinhaie, silently observing her features: the neatly tied bun, the emerald eyes that hinted at stories untold, and the elegant attire reminiscent of a bygone era.

Yinhaie, sensing Yasushi's scrutiny, narrowed her eyes slightly, a hint of curiosity mingling with caution. "Is something wrong?" she asked, her voice carrying a note of suspicion.

Yasushi's response was swift yet evasive. "Oh, just wondering if the clothes you're wearing keeps you warm enough," he deflected, averting his gaze as if to dispel any lingering tension.

"Correct," Jingliu acknowledged with a thoughtful nod. "The simplicity of local tea carries its own charm along with a world of varieties." Her lips curled into a faint smile as she savored another sip, her gaze drifting to Yinhaie with a knowing glance. "As for the attire that Yinhaie wears, it's been tailored for both comfort and practicality, adapting seamlessly to the changing seasons."

Yasushi absorbed her words with quiet interest, taking measured sips of his tea. "I'll take your word on that matter then," he conceded with a faint smile.

Concern etched on his face, Yasushi broached a topic of lingering uncertainty. "And what about Jishiha? Will he continue to bother us after tonight?"

Jingliu's response was decisive, her tone carrying a hint of authority. "His actions from now on will be limited. I'll ensure a message reaches him and his family tonight. Verbal and physical harassment from him will stop, though him glaring at us may continue. However, we will have our peace," she concluded with a firm resolve.

"That's good," Yasushi remarked, his focus returning to the tea in his hands. As the conversation naturally waned, a tranquil silence descended upon the room once again, the only sound the quiet slurping of tea.

After a contemplative minute, Yinhaie rose abruptly, her voice breaking the stillness. "Sir Yasushi, have you dined yet?" she inquired, her eyes alight with a gentle concern. Yasushi shook his head in response.

"Then, with your permission and pardon me, may I prepare dinner for all of us? It's around Lady Jingliu's usual dining hour," she proposed, seeking approval.

Yasushi glanced at Jingliu, who nodded in agreement. Turning back to Yinhaie, he acquiesced. "Of course, please go ahead. I recently restocked, so there should be ample ingredients."

With a respectful bow, Yinhaie made her way to the kitchen, her movements purposeful as she gathered what was needed. Left in the quietude once more, Yasushi and Jingliu shared a wordless understanding, their thoughts drifting in the tranquility of the moment.

In their shared quiet, Jingliu's gaze bore into Yasushi, her voice carrying a weight of contemplation. "Our paths seem to cross more often than chance dictates. Despite my recent arrival, our lives have intertwined unexpectedly."

Yasushi's response was tinged with a hint of weariness as he turned his eyes away. "Don't read too deeply into it. These are just coincidences that caught us off guard. Soon enough, we'll return to our usual routines," he remarked, setting down his empty teacup.

"Perhaps," Jingliu countered evenly, her gaze steady. She mirrored Yasushi's actions, placing her cup back on the table with deliberate grace. Her crimson eyes, inscrutable and intense, seemed to search beyond the surface, seeking a deeper connection or understanding.

Yasushi met her steady stare, a curiosity flickering in his own eyes. There was a silent exchange between them, an unspoken question lingering in the air, each trying to discern the other's thoughts and intentions in the quietude of the evening.

An hour drifted away like a forgotten whisper, leaving Yasushi and Jingliu locked in a wordless exchange. Yinhaie returned to find them ensnared in this silent communion, her perplexity mounting with each passing moment. Tentatively, she called out their names, but the air remained undisturbed by their response.

Approaching Yasushi first, she waved her hand before his unmoving gaze, receiving no acknowledgment. A similar silence greeted her attempts to rouse Jingliu from her trance. Concern crept into Yinhaie's mind, prompting her to shake Yasushi gently, coaxing him back to awareness.

"Oh, Yinhaie. What's the matter?" Yasushi's voice cut through the stillness, drawing Jingliu's attention back to the present. She regarded her maid with a puzzled expression, as if awakening from a dream within a dream.

Yinhaie breathed a sigh of relief. "It's been an hour, and I returned because dinner is ready. But I found both of you in a silent standoff, lost in each other's gaze and unresponsive to my calls. I was worried that something had occurred," she explained swiftly, exhaling again.

"Ah, indeed, time has slipped away," murmured Jingliu, finding amusement in the peculiar scenario. "Let's proceed with dinner," she declared, rising from her seat and heading towards the dining table.

Yasushi, acknowledging Yinhaie with a silent apology, followed suit and joined Jingliu at the table. They began their meal in quietude, the atmosphere tinged with a hint of mystery and introspection.

Yinhaie, though perplexed by the episode, was accustomed to such occurrences. She shook her head slightly, accepting it as a peculiar fact of their shared reality, and proceeded with the evening's proceedings.

+-+

The meal passed in near silence, the clinking of utensils punctuating the quietude as they ate. Soon, Jingliu found herself alone at the dining table, immersed in the serenity of her tea, while Yinhaie and Yasushi took to the kitchen, going on the task of washing dishes in tandem.

Midway through their chore, Yinhaie broke the silence with a sudden request, catching Yasushi off guard. "Sir Yasushi, may I ask for a favor?" Her voice, though soft, carried a sense of earnestness that demanded attention.

Yasushi paused, turning his gaze towards her. "I would like to hear your request before agreeing. If it's within my capability, I'll do my best to help," he responded, curiosity piqued by her unexpected plea.

Yinhaie hesitated briefly before voicing her plea with a respectful bow. "Please, become Lady Jingliu's friend."

"Her friend?" Yasushi echoed, his brows furrowing in perplexity. "Why do you ask for this?"

Deep in thought, Yinhaie lowered her gaze to the plate in her hands before speaking once more. "She... she has always been a lonely child, even from her youth... there are reasons for this, but I cannot reveal them. I ask that you discover them on your own. However, I haven't seen her enjoy herself so genuinely in ages, and it often revolves around your presence. Please... be her friend."

Yasushi absorbed her words with quiet contemplation, his curiosity stirred by the glimpse into Jingliu's solitary existence. While he had sensed her isolation and limited social circle, he hadn't expected to grasp the depth of it so swiftly.

"Just her friend? Not some hired personal bodyguard?" he quipped lightly, a playful glint in his eyes that earned a smile from Yinhaie.

"Indeed, just her friend. Will you honor my request?" Yinhaie inquired once more, her tone gentle yet insistent.

Yasushi nodded thoughtfully. "It's a simple enough request. I can't guarantee her acceptance, but I'll extend the offer," he affirmed. Yinhaie's smile conveyed gratitude as they resumed washing dishes in companionable silence.

+-+

Another hour slipped by in the effortless flow of their conversation before they decided it was time to part ways for the night. Yinhaie lingered by the gate of the Futakao residence, patiently awaiting Jingliu's departure as she exchanged a few final words with Yasushi.

"Goodbye for now, Yasushi. Have a pleasant evening, and I'll see you on Monday. Enjoy your weekend," Jingliu bid farewell, starting to turn away.

"Wait, Jingliu," Yasushi's voice halted her movement, drawing her attention back to him.

"Yes?" Jingliu's curiosity was evident, her head tilting slightly as she waited for Yasushi's next words.

After a brief pause, Yasushi spoke softly, his gaze fixed on her. "Would you consider being my friend?" He extended his hand towards her, a silent invitation hanging in the air.

She regarded him for a fleeting moment, her laughter bubbling forth unexpectedly. "Well, that was certainly unexpected," she confessed, a genuine smile gracing her lips. Meeting his gaze with unwavering sincerity, she reached out and clasped Yasushi's hand. "Yes, there's no reason not to be friends. Let's embark on this journey together, Yasushi."

His sheepish grin mirrored her own as he responded, "Thank you. Here's to our newfound friendship."

With their parting words exchanged, their eyes lingered on each other for a moment longer before Jingliu gently released his hand and turned to join Yinhaie. The duo left the Futakao residence, their steps carrying them away into the night.

Yasushi watched them depart, his gaze lingering on the fading figures until they melded into the night. Stepping onto the snow-covered path, he extended his hand, and a solitary snowflake alighted on his palm. Yasushi held his breath, mesmerized by the delicate beauty of the moment, a small smile gracing his lips.

"...this world isn't that bad," he murmured to himself, a hint of wonder in his voice, before turning back towards his home.

Inside, as he settled in, Yasushi's thoughts drifted to the future. For the first time in this new chapter of his life, he felt a spark of excitement that wasn't solely self-centered. This bond he had forged, it was unlike any other, transcending both his past and present. It was a connection born amidst the serene snowscape — a bond destined to endure in the timeless embrace of the eternal snow.